The Mandatory Census-Time for Urdu Recognition

A census is said to be one of the most important surveys and record keeping tools that Canada does have; it provides the most accurate and up to date information about the population. In addition to making policymakers aware about population issues, it is also an important tool for identifying forms of social, demographic or economic exclusions, such as inequalities relating to race, ethics and religion as well as disadvantaged people such as those with disabilities and poverty.

Every five years there comes a national census to update statistical portrait of residents of Canada including the landed immigrants, refugee claimants, and those holding a work permit or study-permit.

Purpose in nutshell: The Canadian census has a purpose for the well-being of its country and citizens; it’s enforced as a compulsory law without any excuses or exemptions. The census allows the government to budget for healthcare, shortage of labourers, higher education needs, technology development, and career markets for revenue and the well-being of all ages. The information produced by the census can be divided into a number of main fields; in each field questions are asked which provide a picture of the population in this field. The information collected makes it possible to received data on socio-economic characteristics of the population and households. Questioning on demographics makes it possible to learn about the age, gender, and the marital status.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_in_Canada.

 In addition to providing a demographic and statistical data for use in planning public services including health care, education, and transportation,  It does determine federal transfer payments,^[1] and determine the number of Members of Parliament for each province and territory.

One may complete a census questionnaire online by the deadline of May 10 or request paper copy of the form.

Assured Confidentiality: The submitted information is subject to use by “Statistics Canada” in support of other surveys or analysis. There is a guarantee that no one outside of Statistics Canada is able to access the information that identifies individuals. The Statistics A ct ensures that the census information is kept confidential.

Uniqueness:  “The unique advantage of the census is that it represents the entire statistical universe, down to the smallest geographical units, of a country or region. Planners need this information for all kinds of development work, including: assessing demographic trends; analysing socio-economic conditions; designing evidence-based poverty-reduction strategies; monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies; and tracking progress toward national and internationally agreed development goals.”

Seriousness: After May 10 deadline, Statistics Canada may be coming after those who haven’t submitted their questionnaire; those who refuse may face a fine of up to $500 or up to three months in jail.

These cases can make headlines, depending on the circumstances. http://globalnews.ca/news/2689125/procrastinating-on-the-2016-census-heres-what-might-happen/

An accurate census can empower local communities by providing them with the necessary information to participate in local decision-making and ensuring they are represented. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census

Thought provoking: Pakistanis are deprived of enjoying Urdu in Canada because of the naivety of many Pakistanis; they keep ignoring the power of their “say” at the time of census. They continue to fail to realise what is good for them when it comes to declare what language they speak at home. The fact is most of the immigrants from Pakistan tend to mention Punjabi as their mother tongue despite the fact that their Punjabi is actually based on Urdu alphabets. An appropriate choice is Urdu for all Pakistanis.

On the other hand Sikhs take advantage of our choosing of Punjabi as our mother tongue which is miles away from the reality.

Caution: Remember!  We speak Urdu at home, so do our children.

Therefore, it must be recognised at par with other ethnic languages (mother tongues spoken in Canada). As most of the Pakistanis belonging to the province of the Punjab speak Punjabi, but that is in Urdu alphabets. Pakistanis need to be educated that post Indo Pak partition of 1947, Mr Jinnah declared Urdu as the national language to eliminate all ethnic friction. This made a little change in the way the kids in all households are raised in Pakistan. All are taught Urdu leading to the erosion of provincial languages and mother tongues. That is why, Urdu speaking is in fashion almost in all Canadian households of Pakistan origin.

Almost four generations have adopted Urdu in Pakistan to make inter communication easier.

Special advice to the Canadian residents of Pakistan origin:

Wake up!  Showing Punjabi as mother tongue deprives you of official recognition of your Urdu. Instead, this attitude of carelessly declaring Punjabi as your spoken language at home, ONLY benefits the East Indian Punjabi community.

The fact is we the Pakistanis don’t have a clue about the ABC of Indian Punjabi, as Pakistani Punjabi is only written in Urdu alphabets.

Since most of the Pakistani community speaks Urdu at home, it must be recognised as one of the most spoken language at home. Indian punjabi cannot be understood in the written form at all, while Urdu is well understood both verbally and in writing by each Pakistani. Thus, all Pakistanis must be mentioning Urdu while answering on the census form to derive the greatest advantage attached to it.

 Certainly, the importance of Urdu cannot be undermined as its popularity is high in Canada.

SOURCES:

google.com,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census_in_Canada, . http://globalnews.ca/news/2689125/procrastinating-on-the-2016-census-heres-what-might-happen/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census, Statistics Canada.